White garden in early summer
I have always wanted a white garden, in early summer it can be a sanctuary of calm and quiet. Somewhere I can sit and escape the busy thoughts of work or the hectic need to get the next task completed at home or in the garden.
The reality is that I’m not sufficiently disciplined to have an all-white garden. And anyway, most of us do not have the space to dedicate a large area to just one colour. Instead, I group a few plants with pale flowers together and let my imagination do the rest!
Plants with pale foliage, especially silvery leaves, also help to create a sense of peace, while white, cream and the palest of pastel colour flowers add to the feeling of calm.
Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’
Commonly known white dicentra, or white bleeding heart, it is easily identifiable by the distinctive heart-shaped flowers. This herbaceous perennial flowers in late spring and early summer. I find it a useful plant in the garden, with a crisp white flower, because it dies back by late summer, leaving space for other plants to use the space. Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’ will fail to thrive in acid or sandy soils and prefers partial shade in moist or poorly drained soil and a sheltered spot. It grows to 100cm height and 60cm spread.
Tellima grandiflora
Here’s an interesting herbaceous perennial for a shady spot, although it’s equally happy in partial shade and even full sun. Grow in a moist, but free-draining soil in a sheltered position on a north- or south-facing site. Avoid growing in clay soils as it may fail. Tellima grandiflora forms a neat clump of leaves with racemes of very small, cream flowers held above the foliage. It flowers in late spring to early summer. Height 75cm. I’ve seen these growing happily under tall maple trees and at the top of banks above a small stream. It is another of those plants that look delicate, but are surprisingly tough, they are hardy throughout the UK and Ireland, even during harsh winters.
Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’
The snowball tree is a fast-growing deciduous plant that grows to 3m – 5m height and spread. An unfussy and hardy plant that will thrive in most situations. As long as you avoid waterlogged soil or full shade and it should grow well. In May, ball like clusters of flowers appear, green at first and maturing to white, occasionally with a pink tint as the flowers age. They make good cut flowers, sear the stems and they may last two weeks in the vase. The sterile flowers produce no berries.
Alstroemeria
Long-lasting as cut flowers, Alstroemeria also work hard in the garden, providing colour for weeks on end through the summer. For your pale themed garden, try varieties like ‘Summer Ice’ or ‘Summer Sky’. The Summer series of Alstroemerias grow to 60cm – 70cm height and up to 50cm spread. Grow in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered spot. Although it is hardy throughout most of UK and Ireland, it will struggle to grow in clay soils, and north-facing sites. Propagate by division in autumn or very early spring.
Nicotiana alata Lime Green
I don’t often include annuals in my planting suggestions, but for a calming, cool garden area, I think Nicotiana alata ‘Lime Green’ is worth considering. And while the flowers are not white, they will blend perfectly into a white garden in early summer It is easy to grow from seed, or simply purchase some plug plants or seedlings. This is not tolerant of frost, so do not plant out until after the last frost date. Grow in a sheltered spot, in full sun or partial shade. It tolerates any soil, except clay. The plants have an upright habit and grow to 60cm height.
Hesperantha coccinea f. alba
This is the white form of the crimson flag lily. It’s a clumping forming plant that produces flowers in late summer through to autumn. The stems hold the flowers above the foliage, with 10 or more flowers per stem. The white petals are often tinged with pale pink. Grow in full sun, in any type of soil that mosit and in a sheltered spot to protect from drying winds. It is hardy across most of the UK, in cooler areas provide protection during winter. Height 40cm and 60cm spread.
Rosa Tranquility
One of my favourite pale roses is Rosa ‘Tranquility’. It has pink blushed flower buds in clusters that open to creamy white flowers. It is repeat flowering, so deadhead regular to promote new flowers. Height and spread 125cm, so it is ideal to plant in the middle or back of the border. Although it is not fussy about soil types, grow in full sun for the best display.
Thalictrum Splendide White (‘Fr21034’PBR)
I spotted this pretty Thalictrum in a friend’s garden and instantly liked it. The small, white flowers are held aloft, on tall flower stems up to 175cm height. Don’t be fooled by the daintiness of the flowers, the plants are tough and hardy across all of the UK and Ireland, even during the most severe of winters. They prefer to grow in partial shade on moist or poorly drained soil. Plant in an east- or west-facing position and give them some shelter to prevent the tall stems breaking on windier days.
Peony Avalanche
The crisp white flowers of Peony ‘Avalanche’ start with a slight pink tinge and occasionally have a red streak on the edges. The petals form a lightly scented, shallow dome. Late season flowering. Height and spread 80cm. Grows in full sun, in most soils, but will fail to thrive in constantly wet soil. Plant so that the eyes are no more than 2.5cm below the surface, otherwise your peony may fail to flower. There are several white varieties of Peony, if you select an early-, a mid- and a late-flowering variety, you can extend the period that you’ll enjoy peonies in your garden.
Artemisia schmidtiana
A low-growing, evergreen perennial plant that is grown for its silvery foliage. It is hardy throughout the UK and Ireland in all but the harshest of winters. Grow in full sun on a south-facing site that drains well. It is unlikely to tolerate clay soils. Height 30cm.
Monarda Schneewittchen
I grow several varieties of Monarda, but by far my favourite is this white flowered one. It spreads to form a clump with aromatic leaves. It prefers a loam soil that is moist, but doesn’t become waterlogged. Grow in full sun or partial shade. It is hardy in most of UK and Ireland, even in harsh winters. Avoid allowing any variety of Monarda to dry out completely during dry spells as it can be susceptible to powdery mildew. Height 90cm and 50cm spread.
Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet grows into a dense clump of foliage. Height and spread 100cm. It will fail to thrive on chalky or sandy soil, preferring moist, but well drained or poorly drained soil. Grow in full sun or partial shade. From June to September irregular clusters of highly fragrant, cream, flowers appear. It is fully hardy and a native to the UK and Ireland. The buds, flowers and seeds are edible and taste of a combination of hay, almond and vanilla.
More information
The article, White garden in early summer, was written originally for Amateur Gardening magazine in early summer 2025. I may have updated some of the specific varieties and images, or added further plants to the list and I’ve included to help you find the suggested plants. For more ideas for white flowers in your garden, try ‘white garden, autumn flowers‘.
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